ORANGE : City Plans to Buy Land for Hiring Hall
The City Council has moved to buy property for a hiring hall for day laborers.
Because negotiations to lease a site at McPherson Road and Center Street have been unsuccessful, the city will acquire the property from Southern Pacific Railroad through eminent domain, Mayor Don Smith said.
First, the city will make the railroad an offer on the property, City Atty. Furman Roberts said.
“We’re committed to opening the hiring hall,” Smith said.
The site is now vacant, but the city wants to operate a hiring hall from a portable building there and is already looking for staff to run it, Smith said. The target date for opening is March 1.
City Manager Ron Thompson said the city could take possession of the property within 30 days.
The center, which will only be open to documented workers, probably will also offer English courses and legal aid, Smith said.
The city will not enforce bans on soliciting work on sidewalks and public streets until the hiring hall is open, Smith said.
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